Every year my mom and I enjoy hosting a wine and cheese fundraiser for LiveWorkPlay, but not everyone can make it out to the farm in Russell for the party, so I'd like to get some donations from other people too!

As the English language Ottawa area affliliate for Community Living Ontario, this was a great opportunity for LiveWorkPlay to add a local flavour to these events by contributing as volunteers, presenters, and hosts.

Volunteers contributed at the registration table, handing out translator headsets, and simply being handy to assist organizers and delegates who arrived from all over the world.

LiveWorkPlay was also involved in two of the conference breakout presentations. Jennifer Harris (pictured) presented on self-advocacy and decision-making in a session co-moderated by Julie Kingstone, and Dan Patton from MBNA/Bank of America presented on the employment partnership with LiveWorkPlay in a session moderated by Keenan Wellar.

The CACL also released the 2008 Report Card on Inclusion. While there have been many positive advancements for people with intellectual disabilities, there were also some difficult findings. This included the disturbing revelation that almost half of the Canadian public is "not very" or "not at all" comfortable being around people with intellectual disabilities.

Other highlights (or lowlights) of the report include: slightly more than 50% of people with an intellectual disability reported that they have little or no control over decisions about their everyday activities; unemployment for people with intellectual disabilities sits at 70%; adults with intellectual disabilities are three times more likely than non-disabled Canadians to live in poverty.

These findings are understandably upsetting to anyone concerned about building healthy communities. For the LiveWorkPlay organization, its constituents, and their networks it is a call to action. There is much work to be done to spread the basic message of inclusion, and we must do more involve, engage, and educate the general public about the benefits of welcoming people with intellectual disabilities as included citizens. Those who take up the challenge are not working alone! The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities now has more than 80 signatories (including Canada) and has been ratified by more than 40 countries, not yet including Canada.

NEW YEAR'S EVE IN OTTAWA TICKETS

If you attended last year's awesome event in the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza you left hoping for more of the same to ring in 2009. Well, you wanted it, you got it! Sticks n Stones is back to keep the dance floor rocking. The one significant change for this year will see the buffet being replaced by a plated rib steak dinner, which means no tables to clear off the dance floor, and more time to celebrate!To purchase tickets to the New Year's Eve In Ottawa ballroom party go to NewYearsEveInOttawa!

What's also new for this year is the private members-only penthouse party! There will be a buffet dinner in the penthouse foyer, and DJ Paul "Bee Diddy" Hamilton will be spinning your requests all night long, and after dinner penthouse guests are also welcome to check out the ballroom.

To purchase tickets to the penthouse party you must be a member of a Journeys or SMILE family, a volunteer, or a staff member. Qualified purchasers can also order tickets for guests they would like to bring along to the private party. For members-only tickets please click here.

SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN FAMILY FUN

This year's Halloween Family Fun Night event was made all the more special in that it was held for the first time on October 31. The banquet room at the Hampton Inn was filled with costumed Journeys and SMILE participants, parents, volunteers, and staff.

Activities including celebrity Match Game, Spooky Sights & Sounds, and a Murder Mystery that resulted in Daniel Harris being whisked away by Batman!

The evening concluded with a variety of entertaining and educational experiments conducted by Professor Jeff Manthorpe of Carleton University. It all ended in a big bang...you'll need to watch the video to get a feel for it!

Next up is the LiveWorkPlay Holiday Party on December 19. Please register online by December 15.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ANNOUNCEMENT

On November 21, representatives from the Canada-Ontario affordable housing program announced funding recipients arising from a public request for proposals. A plaque was presented to LiveWorkPlay co-founders Keenan Wellar and Julie Kingstone at a special ceremony hosted by the McLean Housing Cooperative in Ottawa.

LiveWorkPlay is to receive $700,000 towards the creation of 7 affordable homes. The funding is expected to cover about 2/3 of the capital costs, so there is plenty of fundraising work that remains, but this major contribution means that LiveWorkPlay can help more people and more quickly than would otherwise be possible.

Details are still emerging, but the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services has also committed to providing support dollars to assist in supporting those living in the affordable homes.

Work on the LiveWorkPlay proposal started back in 2006. The process for obtaining funds from the program is challenging, and also highly competitive. "This is a big step for LiveWorkPlay," said Chair of the Board Wendy Mitchell. "This is work that needs to be done, because people with intellectual disabilities simply do not have access to affordable housing, and we are pleased to be making a difference."

ANNUAL FAMILY CONFERENCE NEWS

The annual LiveWorkPlay Family Conference provides an opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities and their family members to discuss challenging topics in an intimate setting with support from staff and community experts.

This year's special guest was Barrister Solicitor Heather Perkins-McVey, an experienced courtroom lawyer specializing in areas that include criminal defence and mental health law. People with intellectual disabilities often fall victim to misunderstandings by law enforcement and the justice system, and it is important that they can protect themselves by exercising their basic human rights.

As explained by Ms. Perkins-McVey, police and other law enforcement officials receive significant training for interacting with various populations in the community, but not every individual will have specific experience communicating with people with intellectual disabilities. Adding to this challenge, people with intellectual disabilities often seek to please authority figures, and may try to provide answers that are pleasing rather than accurate.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT: STARRING CARA!

After reading this blog you may find yourself wondering how it is possible that so much can be happening with a small organization like LiveWorkPlay. It takes a combination of dedicated volunteers, staff, board members, families, and community partners to make it happen. And it also takes money, of which there is simply never enough.

LiveWorkPlay has a very short list of personal donors, but you can help change that! Making a donation has never been easier - it can be done as a single contribution, or better still via a monthly deduction. Just $8.33 per month results in a donation of $100 a year!

The United Way campaign is quickly coming to an end, and a directed contribution to LiveWorkPlay is a great way to get involved. The United Way is currently supporting both the ACES and Journeys programs, and recently featured a story about former Journeys participant Cara McGowan.

We hope you have enjoyed this 25th edition of LiveWorkPlayNews. If you have received an email about this blog in error and/or you would prefer not to receive future LiveWorkPlayNews messages, simply click here and follow the simple instructions. That same web page can also be used by newcomers who would like to join LiveWorkPlayNews, so feel free to share the address with friends, colleagues, and family who might like to subscribe.

Volunteer organizers Pat McFadden, Paul Sheldon, and Jack Murphy sold out the LiveWorkPlay golf tournament for the second year in a row. 144 golfers teed off on the afternoon of September 30 and enjoyed a round of golf and many exciting contests, followed by a banquet at GreyHawk Golf Club.

It was the first fundraiser of 2008-2009 for LiveWorkPlay, and thanks to a $4000 sponsorship from Marcomm, the event brought in more than $17,000! This includes more than $2000 raised in about 30 minutes through a short live auction that followed dinner.

"One goal for next year is to include more sponsors," said Mr. McFadden. "We will be inviting businesses big and small to get involved as hole sponsors and looking for other creative ways to continue building this tournament. LiveWorkPlay is a great cause and we were pleased to see so many companies and golfers returning from last year."

Get a flavour for the spirit of the day with selected tournament video highlights.

NEW YEAR'S EVE IN OTTAWA TICKETS

If you attended last year's awesome event in the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza you left hoping for more of the same to ring in 2009. Well, you wanted it, you got it! Sticks n Stones is back to keep the dance floor rocking. The one significant change for this year will see the buffet being replaced by a plated rib steak dinner, which means no tables to clear off the dance floor, and more time to celebrate!To purchase tickets to the New Year's Eve In Ottawa ballroom party go to NewYearsEveInOttawa!

What's also new for this year is the private members-only penthouse party! There will be a buffet dinner in the penthouse foyer, and DJ Paul "Bee Diddy" Hamilton will be spinning your requests all night long, and after dinner penthouse guests are also welcome to check out the ballroom.

To purchase tickets to the penthouse party you must a member of a Journeys or SMILE family, a volunteer, or a staff member. Qualified purchasers can also order tickets for guests they would like to bring along to the private party. For members-only tickets please click here.

HELPING TELL THE STORY: VITAL SIGNS

Vital Signs is an annual community checkup conducted by community foundations across Canada that measures the vitality of our cities. The Community Foundation of Ottawa released this year's edition on October 7.

"The report raises some key issues for the residents of Ottawa to consider as they make various important decisions, whether they’re thinking about making philanthropic donations, volunteering in the community, or preparing to vote in federal, municipal or provincial elections,” said Barbara McInnes, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Ottawa. “The goal of producing this report each year is to learn, share and inspire community conversation and debate, and this year’s report certainly provides plenty to talk about."

LiveWorkPlay was honoured to help tell the story of Ottawa's housing situation in this year's Vital Signs. The On Our Own Together Too transitional housing program was featured as "an innovative pilot project designed to address urgent needs resulting from the shift away from institutional living and the dilemma faced by aging parents of people with disabilities."

Featured prominently in the story is a photo of Tim Siebrasse, who graduated from OOOT-Too in June and enjoyed a meet and greet with Community Foundation of Ottawa staff and community partners on October 8. "I'm looking forward to moving into a place of my own," said Tim.

AN ASSIST FROM THE SENATORS FOUNDATION

Launched in October 1998, the Sens Foundation provides direct financial aid to organizations within the eastern Ontario and western Quebec regions that service children and youth in the areas of education, health, and recreation.

"Our history with the Ottawa Senators Foundation goes all the way back to 1998," says Keenan. "We were developing our first ever summer learning program [ACES] and they came through with a grant that got it off the ground. It's great to be back here ten years later accepting support for Journeys, which grew out of the original ACES program."

ORIENTATION & AGM 2008

There was a massive turnout for the Orientation and Annual General Meeting on September 26. About 95% of Journeys and SMILE participants and their parents were in attendance. The Orientation featured a new comprehensive information package with details about all the opportunities and events of the year.

At the AGM members discussed highlights from 2007-2008 and took a look ahead to 2008-2009. People with intellectual disabilities moving into homes of their own dominated the LiveWorkPlay headlines this past year. This outstanding result came as a result of many years of hard work and extensive cooperation between LiveWorkPlay and families.

There was a sad farewell to the evening when Vice-Chair Mitchell Leitman announced the departure of long-time volunteer Susan Bools from the Board of Directors: "For her many years of volunteer service we extend our gratitude to Sue."

You can access the minutes and additional AGM information from member events.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

After reading this blog you may find yourself wondering how it is possible that so much can be happening with a small organization like LiveWorkPlay. It takes a combination of dedicated volunteers, staff, board members, families, and community partners to make it happen. And it also takes money, of which there is simply never enough.

LiveWorkPlay has a very short list of personal donors, but you can help change that! Making a donation has never been easier - it can be done as a single contribution, or better still via a monthly deduction. Just $8.33 per month results in a donation of $100 a year! You can also donate to LiveWorkPlay in the name of another person as a tribute or as a gift. Please visit our donation page to set up your contribution today!

We hope you have enjoyed this 24th edition of LiveWorkPlayNews. If you have received an email about this blog in error and/or you would prefer not to receive future LiveWorkPlayNews messages, simply click here and follow the simple instructions. That same web page can also be used by newcomers who would like to join LiveWorkPlayNews, so feel free to share the address with friends, colleagues, and family who might like to subscribe.

They've done it again! Volunteer organizers Pat McFadden, Paul Sheldon, and Jack Murphy have sold out the LiveWorkPlay golf tournament for the second year in a row. 144 golfers will tee off on the last Tuesday in September, what will likely be for many their last game of the year.

It's the first fundraiser of 2008-2009 for LiveWorkPlay, and thanks to a $4000 sponsorship from Marcomm, the event is already off to a great start! Among the many contests at this year's tournament there will be an opportunity to win a brand new Dodge Caliber courtesy of Southbank Dodge Chrysler Jeep!

NEW YEAR'S EVE IN OTTAWA GOES PRIVATE

If you attended last year's awesome event in the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza and were intent on returning, don't worry, that's still happening. Sticks n Stones is back to keep the dance floor rocking, but the buffet is being replaced by a plated rib steak dinner, which means no tables to clear off the dance floor, and more time to celebrate!

What's new for this year is the private members-only penthouse party! There will be a buffet dinner in the penthouse foyer, and DJ Paul "Bee Diddy" Hamilton will be spinning your requests all night long, and after dinner penthouse guests are also welcome to check out the ballroom.

To purchase tickets to the penthouse party you must a member of a Journeys or SMILE family, a volunteer, or a staff member. Qualified purchasers can also order tickets for guests they would like to bring along to the private party. For members-only tickets please click here.

FROM BILL 77 HEARINGS TO "THE ENCAMPMENT"

As reported last issue, self-advocate Jennifer Harris spoke out about Bill 77 (The Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008) with a presentation to the Legislature of Ontario Standing Committee on Social Policy.

In an interview with Community Living Leaders, Jennifer reflected on her high school experience of isolation and low self-esteem. It turns out she is not alone. Many of her SMILE colleagues had similar experiences, and they are ready to speak out about it. They'll have help from local writer Drew Williamson, who is in training as a creative collaborator for The Encampment, a large-scale participatory art installation that will be on display at Major's Hill Park from October 2-4.

In partnership with the National Capital Commission (NCC) the project is beinggpresented by the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) as part of its 50th anniversary cultural initiative to bring national awareness to the inclusion of people with an intellectual disability.

The 50th Anniversary Conference and the pre-conference Global Forum on Inclusion are taking place in Ottawa from November 17-21. Topics will include the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability and there are many free events, including the international gathering of families and self-advocates. Click here for conference information.

AN EXPLOSION OF NEW FACESThere has never been a September quite like it at LiveWorkPlay headquarters. From new volunteers, to placement students, to new SMILE participants, to new staff, it's been non-stop introductions and handshakes for two straight weeks!

There have been big changes at SMILE, which has created new demands for human resources, and volunteers and students are heeding the call. New part-time staffing positions have also opened up, not only for SMILE but for Journeys too!

The influx of half a dozen new participants comes as a result of LiveWorkPlay opening its doors to qualifying fee-for-service clients. LiveWorkPlay was told last year not to expect an increase in Ministry of Community and Social Services funding support for SMILE, which means new participants must bring with them their own funding. Although this option has only been available for a few weeks, there have been many takers, and others are knocking on the door.

There is other evidence that LiveWorkPlay is earning a reputation as an exciting place to be. An advertisement for a 5 hour per week position supporting the Friday night Journeys program resulted in a whopping 46 applications from many highly qualified applicants.

There are so many new names and faces that it is going to take some time to catch up with it all. Watch for updated information in the staff and volunteer areas of the LiveWorkPlay website.

SUPPORT UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN 2008The 10-week United Way Ottawa/Centraide campaign kicks off on the morning of September 24, with a breakfast at the Aberdeen Pavilion, Lansdowne Park. This year’s campaign theme The Promise we Share is a reflection of the values of the 2008 campaign chair Sal Iacono. Inherent in the theme are the concepts of responsibility, optimism and inclusion: a great fit with LiveWorkPlay!

The LiveWorkPlay youth programs Journeys and ACES are currently supported with annual United Way grants. Felice Miranda, mother of Journeys participant Gillian Gillespie, is giving back as a member of the United Way Speakers' Bureau. Felice had her first speaking engagement earlier this month at the RCMP headquarters workplace campaign, and scored 5/5 in all categories of the post-presentation survey!

IT'S ORIENTATION AND AGM TIMEAll Journeys participants, SMILE participants, and their parents/guardians will be at the Hampton Inn on September 26 for the annual orientation event. It's a time to review the schedule for the year, and go over important information about upcoming deadlines, events, and opportunities.

The LiveWorkPlay Annual General Meeting will follow the Orientation. There will be presentations from the Board of Directors and Executive Staff, with a review of the past year and a look ahead to 2008-2009.

We hope you have enjoyed this 23rd edition of LiveWorkPlayNews. If you have received an email about this blog in error and/or you would prefer not to receive future LiveWorkPlayNews messages, simply click here and follow the simple instructions. That same web page can also be used by newcomers who would like to join LiveWorkPlayNews, so feel free to share the address with friends, colleagues, and family who might like to subscribe.

It was on very short notice that LiveWorkPlay prepared a presentation to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario's Standing Committee regarding Bill 77 (An Act to provide services to persons with developmental disabilities and to repeal the Developmental Services Act ). The news that LiveWorkPlay had been invited to appear was not received until after the SMILE trip to New Hampshire (see story below) so that left just a few days to pull it all together.

In the end the decision to invite Jennifer Harris to represent LiveWorkPlay and speak from the heart (see video, right) as a self-advocate was a good one. Many other presenters (including other Eastern Ontario affiliates of Community Living Ontario) focused on very specific aspects of Bill 77. The LiveWorkPlay presentation was directed more to broad principles such as quality of life issues and the right to self-determination for people with intellectual disabilities.

Together these different types of presentations gave the committee members a lot to think about, and hopefully it will all translate into better legislation and a better future for people with intellectual disabilities throughout Ontario.

TELUS SUPPORTS LIVEWORKPLAY VIDEO LEARNING

The TELUS Ottawa Community Board has announced a grant of $20,000 in support of video learning projects that will support independent living for people with intellectual disabilities.

This will include the creation of specialized instructional videos to assist in a variety of problem-solving situations ranging from cooking to writing a cheque. End users of the videos will be involved in their creation whenever possible, ensuring that they will achieve their intended outcome - greater independence in the enjoyment of daily life.

SMILE RETURNS FROM THE WHITE MOUNTAINS

What an adventure! 22 SMILE participants and 4 LiveWorkPlay staff members travelled by road through Ontario, Quebec, and Vermont to the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the AMC Highland Lodge. There was hiking, lounging, ping pong, shopping, gondola riding, and even a flight down a mountain on a zip line!

Live animal sightings included bats, hawks, moose, and black bear, not to mention a few SMILE participants looking quite wild in the lodge rec room!

There was a SMILE trip to the same lodge (during the winter) back in 2006, and there were significant changes in evidence. The group was much more active, and also much less reliant on staff support. For example, they opted to wander freely in the massive Settler's Green outlet shopping area in North Conway. Nobody got lost and there were some great bargains had by all!

The real endurance test of the trip was the drive home. An incredibly powerful thunderstorm stuck the 417 not far from the Quebec border that slowed things down and played havoc with the rest stop schedule (always important in a group of 26!) but in the end the delay was just 45 minutes. For many participants including Caroline (right) the arrival time was not important because they were taking OC Transpo home anyway!

ACES HAS A BALL AND MORE IN MONTREALThis was the first year of the new ACES summer program format, which featured a combination of trip planning, vocational education at MBNA/Bank of America, and overnight travel! As with their peers ten days earlier, the second group of participants who travelled to Montreal from July 21-23 did themselves and the organization proud!

Working within a budget, the group got to make their own choices about mode of travel and activities. They decided to travel by bus and on arrival on Monday they quickly headed off to La Ronde amusement park.

Tuesday was truly jam-packed! It started at the Biodome, moved to the Botanical Gardens, Insectarium, the Labyrinthe, and the sound and light show at the Notre Dame Basilica. The Labyrinthe on the Montreal waterfront is actually a maze, not a labyrinth, but whatever you call it, it was very challenging! The group got hopelessly lost in the middle of it all and had to get creative to make their escape!

Wednesday was a shopping day on Rue St. Catherine that had everyone smiling as they headed home. The new ACES format has been praised by participants, parents, and staff, so look for something similar for 2009, featuring a different destination.

REGISTER NOW FOR SEPTEMBER 30 GOLF TOURNEYThe Second Annual LiveWorkPlay Golf Tournament at GreyHawk is set for September 30. This year's tournament will be played on the Talon course, which offers some tough risk-reward shotmaking opportunities: ignore the water and bunkers or lay up? Sign up today and make your choice when the time comes!

The volunteer organizers including Paul Sheldon and Pat McFadden are working hard to recruit golfers and sell out this event for the second straight year. Where they really need your help is with recruiting hole sponsors and door prizes. The tournament offers a great opportunity for exposure to a variety of community and business leaders. Contact Keenan at 613-235-9550 x 223 if you have contacts interested in learning more about supporting the event.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

After reading this blog you may find yourself wondering how it is possible that so much can be happening with a small organization like LiveWorkPlay. It takes a combination of dedicated volunteers, staff, board members, families, and community partners to make it happen. And it also takes money, of which there is simply never enough.

LiveWorkPlay has a very short list of personal donors, but you can help change that! Making a donation has never been easier - it can be done as a single contribution, or better still via a monthly deduction. Just $8.33 per month results in a donation of $100 a year! You can also donate to LiveWorkPlay in the name of another person as a tribute or as a gift. Please visit our donation page to set up your contribution today!

NEW! LiveWorkPlay is now registered as a Cause on Facebook. Click here to show your support for LiveWorkPlay or to make a contribution.

We hope you have enjoyed this 22nd edition of LiveWorkPlayNews. If you have received an email about this blog in error and/or you would prefer not to receive future LiveWorkPlayNews messages, simply click here and follow the simple instructions. That same web page can also be used by newcomers who would like to join LiveWorkPlayNews, so feel free to share the address with friends, colleagues, and family who might like to subscribe.

2) ENGINES OF SUCCESS ROARS DOWN THE TRACK3) ACES HAS A BALL AND MORE IN MONTREAL 4) REGISTER NOW FOR SEPTEMBER 30 GOLF TOURNEY 5) GREAT GOALS WITH SENS FOUNDATION6) SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

VISIONING DAY: MAKING A SPLASHVisioning Day is an important annual tradition at LiveWorkPlay. This year Journeys and SMILE participants and their parents were challenged to come up with priorities for the future and consider difficult choices about how best to allocate the organization's resources. This was about more than theory. With individualized funding the clear trend for the future, families will need to think carefully about their priorities. It will also be important for families to work together and develop new types of partnerships with LiveWorkPlay and other organizations to get the most out of the scarce dollars available.

The topic was serious, but the mood was very upbeat. The parents were especially active, creating a big buzz during an exercise where they allocated a sample family budget to their service priorities. The full report of Visioning Day outcomes is now available in the Members Only section of the LiveWorkPlay website.

New for this year the annual Summer Blast-Off Barbecue Pool Party started up right after Visioning Day, which concluded in the early afternoon.

The weather was gorgeous and the new all-in-a-day format was great! Everyone gathered on the lawn at the Harris household and carried on their conversations from earlier in the day before moving on to have fun in the pool.

There was the usual impressive assortment of pot luck appetizers and desserts, and Mike McBride and Jack Murphy had burgers going on the grill all afternoon.

ENGINES OF SUCCESS ROARS DOWN THE TRACKThe annual Engines of Success Recognition Banquet moved to a new location at the Hampton Inn, providing comfortable surroundings for all 200 guests. Chris Day from CTV Ottawa was the MC of the event.

Dianne Garrels-Munro, President of Community Living Ontario, was the special guest speaker. She also took it upon herself to help raise more than $1500 through the sale of door prize raffle tickets! Professor Barry Wellar, CEO of Wellar Consulting, took to the podium to announce the launch of The On My Own Recognition Award (TOMORA). The TOMORAs offer a $100 bursary to any LiveWorkPlay participant who moves to a home of their own. This year's TOMORAs were backdated to include those who moved out last year, and will now continue as an annual award program.

As always Engines of Success featured people with intellectual disabilities front and centre. This year their contributions came mainly via recorded videos, which they worked on in the weeks and months leading up to the banquet. They did a fantastic job thanking volunteers, community partners, parents, staff members, and others. They in turn (all 57 of them!) were each recognized for their achievements of the year.

Many videos were also utilized to highlight some of the lighter moments of the LiveWorkPlay year, as well as some truly outstanding achievements by individual participants who made challenging life transitions. A special presentation of the "Maybe One Day" LiveWorkPlay public service message (now airing on A-Channel) was given a special showing on the big screen to thunderous applause. And there were more than a few moist eyes in audience for the grand finale slide show!

ACES HAS A BALL AND MORE IN MONTREALThis is the first year of the new ACES summer program format, which features a combination of trip planning, vocational education at MBNA/Bank of America, and overnight travel! Never before has LiveWorkPlay supported an overnight trip for teens, so there was a lot to think about, but the first group of 10 participants who travelled to Montreal from July 9-11 did themselves and the organization proud!

Working within a budget, the group got to make their own choices about mode of travel and activities. They decided to travel by bus, and their two major expenditures were to spend a day at La Ronde amusement park and to take in a play featured as part of the Just For Laughs festival. Slava'sSnowshow included a wild finale that started with a storm of snow (bits of tissue paper) blown into the audience with industrial fans followed by some giant balls and bubbles that bounced all over the theatre. If it sounds a bit wild and strange...it was!

The trip wrapped up with a visit to the Biodome where some special guest lemurs from Madagascar stole the show. The group was very tired but they managed their emotions well as they walked with their backpacks through the streets of Montreal, in and out of the subway, and finally onto the bus for the ride home.

The next group of ACES participants is preparing for their own Montreal trip on July 21, and they've already decided on some different activities. You'll have to wait for the next edition of our blog to find out what they were.

REGISTER NOW FOR SEPTEMEBER 30 GOLF TOURNEYThe Second Annual LiveWorkPlay Golf Tournament at GreyHawk is set for September 30. This year's tournament will be played on the Talon course, which offers some tough risk-reward shotmakingopportunities: ignore the water and bunkers or lay up? Sign up today and make your choice when the time comes!

The volunteer organizers including Paul Sheldon and Pat McFadden are working hard to recruit golfers and sell out this event for the second straight year. Where they really need your help is with recruiting hole sponsors and door prizes. The tournament offers a great opportunity for exposure to a variety of community and business leaders. Contact Keenan at 613-235-9550 x 223 if you have contacts interested in learning more about supporting the event.

GREAT GOALS WITH SENS FOUNDATION

The Ottawa Senators Foundation helps charitable organizations whose programs focus on improving the quality of life for children and youth in eastern Ontario and western Quebec. That's a great fit for LiveWorkPlay and the Journeys program!

The Sens Foundation is contributing $5000 to Journeys for 2007-2008. This will help ensure that Journeys remains affordable and accessible to young people with intellectual disabilities regardless of their financial circumstances.

Journeys is a weekly Friday night community participation program for people with intellectual disabilities in high school. It's a great place to make friends but also opens the door to other opportunities for individuals and their families, including participation in LiveWorkPlay conferences, Family Fun Nights, and special events.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

After reading this blog you may find yourself wondering how it is possible that so much can be happening with a small organization like LiveWorkPlay. It takes a combination of dedicated volunteers, staff, board members, families, and community partners to make it happen. And it also takes money, of which there is simply never enough.

LiveWorkPlay has a very short list of personal donors, but you can help change that! Making a donation has never been easier - it can be done as a single contribution, or better still via a monthly deduction. Just $8.33 per month results in a donation of $100 a year! You can also donate to LiveWorkPlay in the name of another person as a tribute or as a gift. Please visit our donation page to set up your contribution today!

NEW! LiveWorkPlay is now registered as a Cause on Facebook. Click here to show your support for LiveWorkPlay or to make a contribution.

We hope you have enjoyed this 21st edition of LiveWorkPlayNews. If you have received an email about this blog in error and/or you would prefer not to receive future LiveWorkPlayNews messages, simply click here and follow the simple instructions. That same web page can also be used by newcomers who would like to join LiveWorkPlayNews, so feel free to share the address with friends, colleagues, and family who might like to subscribe.

IN THIS ISSUE...1) "MAYBE ONE DAY" HITS THE AIRWAVES!2) COMMUNITY LIVING ONTARIO CONFERENCE3) HEAT WAVE SPIKES AT ROGER DODGER4) SUPPORT: COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, RBC, MORE!5) YOUNG AUTHOR MAKING HEADLINES6) GOLF TOURNAMENT: PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE7) OOOT-TOO YEAR ONE COMES TO AN END8) LAST CHANCE! REGISTER NOW!9) SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

"MAYBE ONE DAY" HITS THE AIRWAVES!It took about six months of hard work with two self-advocacy groups, but it all came together on May 8 with a full-day of filming in and around Ottawa's Fifth Avenue Court building. The professional crew headlined by producer Jamie Banks of Affinity Productions and director Matt West worked with 8 novice actors from SMILE and experienced actor/writer Richard Kaulbars for 6 hours to compile all the material required for the final product, a 30-second public service message.

Maybe One Day is scheduled to have its first public broadcast on A-Channel Ottawa at 10:30 AM and again at 3:18 and 5:02 on June 19. Those looking for additional information will also enjoy the Maybe One Day web page (and check out the rest of our new website!) which features not only an online version of the public service message, but also information about the actors, footage from behind the scenes, and the history of the project's development. Please be sure to leave a rating and a comment on YouTube!

COMMUNITY LIVING ONTARIO CONFERENCELiveWorkPlay staff traditionally spend one week per year engaged in a formal professional development process. This year the team headed off to Markham to participate in the Community Living Ontario 55th Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting. With about 500 delegates and special guests including the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, the opportunity to interact with other staff, agency board members, and people with intellectual disabilities from across the province was an eye-opening experience!

Welcoming Keenan Wellar and Julie Kingstone at the AGM was Community Living Ontario Executive Director Keith Powell (centre of picture).

The conference offered insights ranging from the theoretical to the practical. LiveWorkPlay staff focused their attention on key issues of life transition. Of particular interest was the presentation by Noreene and Kirby Adam of Pembroke. The message will sound familiar to may LiveWorkPlay families, but Noreene and Adam have the experience to back it up, as reported in Community Living Leaders.

"You’ve got to try things, and not everything is going to succeed," says Adam, who serves as vice-president of Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley. "You don’t try just once. You might have to try a whole lot of times. We tried all different kinds of things before we got to the point where we all realized he wanted to live alone."

Helping make the transition process easier starts when children are small, says Adam. "I always say that when they start school, start thinking about what they’re going to do when they’re done school," she says. "You have got to practice before the time comes."

For more information about how what was learned at the conference relates to future directions for LiveWorkPlay, participants and families are encouraged to register now for Visioning Day on Saturday, June 21. A special revised agenda has been sent out to all LiveWorkPlay members by the Board of Directors.

HEAT WAVE SPIKES AT ROGER DODGERThe fourth annual Roger Dodger Volleyball Tournament for LiveWorkPlay overcame the significant challenge of a scorching early season heat wave to raise just under $2000 despite the necessary cancellation of the planned euchre tournament.

"It was a hot one out there," said organizer Ron Albert. "Thanks to sponsorship from Giant Tiger and Daquin for our food and event merchandise, the tournament was still a financial success even though we had to cancel some events. We'll cross $2000 next year for sure!" Enjoy photos from the 2008 tournament by clicking here: Album IAlbum IIAlbum III.

SUPPORT: COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, RBC, MORE!The Community Foundation of Ottawa is funding LiveWorkPlay efforts to provide access to arts and culture for people with intellectual disabilities through a grant of $13,000. There are many barriers that make it difficult for people with intellectual disabilities to enjoy the arts as either participants or observers. The funds will support a variety of expenditures ranging from musical instruments and equipment to admission costs for events.

In other funding news, support of $5000 for adult services has come in the form of a one-time grant from a new supporter, the RBC Financial Group (RBC Foundation). Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services has contributed an additional $1000.

SMILE participants have enjoyed experimenting with digital photography throughout the fall and winter, and LiveWorkPlay will be offering enhanced photography education and skill development in the fall. This will be made easier thanks to the donation of 10 digital cameras from Olympus!

As a final funding note, an as yet unnamed contributor is announcing a new awards program that will be unveiled at the Engines of Success Recognition Banquet. Curious? Good...get your tickets now before they sell out! Chris Day from CTV Ottawa will be the event MC in the comfortable surroundings of the Hampton Inn Ottawa Conference Centre.

YOUNG AUTHOR MAKING HEADLINESJourneys participant Gillian Gillespie and her mother Felice Miranda have taken on lots of challenges in life. Gillian endured many years of taunting and teasing in the school environment, but has experienced success in recent years at a private school. She has also made new friends through her time at Journeys. With improvements in her school and social life, with the help of her mother she found the strength to fulfill her dream of publishing her own book, inspired by the J.K. Rowling Harry Potter series.

"I’m so proud that when you read the book, it’s Gillian talking, and the little witch named Grace...is a great example to people with disabilities...this is a huge accomplishment for Gillian," said Felice in the June 6 edition of the Barrhaven Independent (see photo, above).

Gillian had a successful launch and book signing at the MBNA Recipe for Success on March 25 where she sold over 100 copies. She has since attended a second book signing, which took place on June 7 at Royal Lepage Barrhaven Fun Day. You can get your own copy of Wacky Witch and Wizard World: The Adventures of Grace and Archimedes at Engines of Success on June 26, or purchase online!

GOLF TOURNAMENT: PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE

The Second Annual LiveWorkPlay Golf Tournament at GreyHawk has been moved from September 25 to Tuesday, September 30. This year's tournament will be played on the Talon course, which offers some tough risk-reward shotmaking opportunities: ignore the water and bunkers or lay up? Sign up today and make your choice when the time comes!

The volunteer organizers lead by Paul Sheldon and Pat McFadden are working hard to recruit golfers and sell out this event for the second straight year. Where they really need your help is with recruiting hole sponsors and door prizes. The tournament offers a great opportunity for exposure to a variety of community and business leaders. Contact Keenan at 613-235-9550 x 223 if you have contacts interested in learning more about supporting the event.

OOOT-TOO YEAR ONE COMES TO AN END

Tim and Stephen moved in April 14 as the third pairing in the On Our Own Together Too transitional housing program. They impressed themselves and everyone around them with their demonstrated ability to manage a daily routine. This included fully independent travel to their workplaces and social destinations, as well as preparing and eating healthy meals with minimal assistance. Stephen also helped out by volunteering to mow the lawn of the property.

When Stephen left a bit early to start a family vacation with his parents, it offered Tim the opportunity to live on his own. He moved out last week (see photo, right). Although he did miss his roommate, he also said "I enjoyed having the space to myself." In fact, he turned down the opportunity to go away with his own family to enjoy his last few days at OOOT-TOO.

"It was a great experience for all of us," said Tim's mother Wendy. "There is a lot to ponder but we are moving ahead!"

REGISTER: VISIONING DAY/POOL PARTY/BANQUETJune 21 is the annual LiveWorkPlay Visioning Day and Pool Party - a full Saturday of learning, sharing, eating, and fun! Advance registration is required.Visioning Day will be held at the Hampton Inn Ottawa at 9:00am sharp, with a special session for parents and the Board of Directors. For those who are interested, we'll leave from there for a BBQ feast at the pool party, which will once again be hosted by the Harris family. These are both free events - but Visioning Day is a pre-requisite for attending the pool party! First we work, then we party!

The annual Engines of Success Recognition Banquet will also be held at the Hampton Inn Ottawa. This is an important night for recognizing our dedicated volunteers, celebrating the achievements of Journeys and SMILE participants, and thanking partners, funders, and sponsors. The celebrity MC for this year is Chris Day from CTV Ottawa.

The banquet doesn't work without a big enthusiastic audience, so register today for a delicious meal and great entertainment. Along with lively recognition ceremonies we'll also have image and video presentations, and probably manage to dig up a blooper or two!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

After reading this blog you may find yourself wondering how it is possible that so much can be happening with a small organization like LiveWorkPlay. It takes a combination of dedicated volunteers, staff, board members, families, and community partners to make it happen. And it also takes money, of which there is simply never enough.

LiveWorkPlay has a very short list of personal donors, but you can help change that! Making a donation has never been easier - it can be done as a single contribution, or better still via a monthly deduction. Just $8.33 per month results in a donation of $100 a year! You can also donate to LiveWorkPlay in the name of another person as a tribute or as a gift. Please visit our donation page to set up your contribution today!

NEW! LiveWorkPlay is now registered as a Cause on Facebook. Click here to show your support for LiveWorkPlay or to make a contribution.

We hope you have enjoyed this 20th edition of LiveWorkPlayNews. If you have received an email about this blog in error and/or you would prefer not to receive future LiveWorkPlayNews messages, simply click here and follow the simple instructions. That same web page can also be used by newcomers who would like to join LiveWorkPlayNews, so feel free to share the address with friends, colleagues, and family who might like to subscribe.

IN THIS ISSUE...1) OUR NEW WEBSITE IS ALIVE AT LAST!2) WELCOME FROM COMMUNITY LIVING ONTARIO3) PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE IN PRODUCTION4) SMILE VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS5) VOLLEYBAL TOURNEY ADDS SPONSORS6) IMPORTANT NEW LEGISLATION ENACTED7) UNITED WAY SUPPORTS ACES/JOURNEYS8) REGISTER: VISIONING/POOL PARTY/BANQUET!9) SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

OUR NEW WEBSITE IS ALIVE AT LAST!The new LiveWorkPlay.ca went live today and the positive reviews are rolling in! "Easier to navigate" and "I love the new bees" are typical of the comments received to date. Special thanks to Simmetria for their professional support.

The website content was authored mainly by co-founder Keenan Wellar, but the static design elements (such as the many "bee banners" that grace the top of each page) were developed by Simmetria in accordance with the LiveWorkPlay vision for the site.

The new website is fully functional with the exception of the "Members Only" areas which are still in development. You are invited to drop by and explore. Keenan is actively seeking feedback, particularly if you notice any errors. With more than 300 pages of content, there is bound to be a boo-boo or two!

WELCOME FROM COMMUNITY LIVING ONTARIOIt's official! On May 1, Community Living Ontario Executive Director Keith Powell welcomed LiveWorkPlay to the Community Living Ontario Federation. There will be a formal presentation of a Certificate of Affiliate Membership at the Annual General Meeting in Markham on June 14.

Community Living Ontario is a provincial association (founded 1958) that promotes citizenship, belonging, and equality of people who have an intellectual disability. There are 112 member associations (make that 113!) and over 12,000 individual members. The goal? That all persons live in a state of dignity, share in all elements of living in the community, and have the opportunity to participate effectively. Community Living Ontario envisions a society where people who have an intellectual disability belong and feel respected.

Why did LiveWorkPlay join the Community Living Ontario family? Aside from sharing remarkably similar goals and vision, the primary motivation is to reach out more effectively. LiveWorkPlay has tremendous internal strength and a growing local profile in the Ottawa community, but to effect societal change, we need to be a part of something much bigger than we can ever hope to be on our own.

There will be many new doors opened for LiveWorkPlay and the people we serve, with opportunities for learning and sharing with other agencies, people with intellectual disabilities, family members, and professionals on a provincial, national, and international scale.

PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE IN PRODUCTION

It took about six months of hard work with two self-advocacy groups, but it all came together on May 8 with a full-day of filming in and around Ottawa's Fifth Avenue Court building. The professional crew headlined by producer Jamie Banks of Affinity Productions and director Matt West worked with 8 novice actors from SMILE and experienced actor/writer Richard Kaulbars for 6 hours to compile all the material required for the final product, a 30-second public service message.

The project began back in October with discussions about a follow-up to two previous self-advocacy group video productions, ODSP & ME and SELF-ADVOCACY & ME. This time the focus would be more about what the public needs to learn, and less about what people with intellectual disabilities need to learn.

But we don't want to give away the plot before you have a chance to see it yourself. If all goes well, there will be a broadcast launch in June. But for now you can get a sneak peak at the making of our public service message "Maybe One Day." This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Ottawa.

SMILE VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWSLiveWorkPlay is a proud member of the Heartwood House community for a variety of reasons, including access to challenging and rewarding volunteer positions. This includes being part of the huge team of volunteers drawn from all 15 Heartwood House organizations that participate in supporting the twice-a-year OC Transpo Unclaimed Items Sale.

The spring sale took place on May 3, and CTV Ottawa featured a story about the sale that included interviews with SMILE participants. Volunteers from LiveWorkPlay are also part of the daily team that serves the public at the lost and found, returning everything from bus passes to musical instruments to anxious and grateful members of the public.

VOLLEYBALL TOURNEY ADDS SPONSORS

The fourth annual Roger Dodger volleyball tournament for LiveWorkPlay is hosted by the Albert family June 6-8 at the Perth Tent and Trailer Park. There is lots to do for fans and players alike, and supporters are welcome to attend all or part of the festivities. Contact Ron Albert for more information!

If you can't make it to the event itself, you can make a donation through Sarah Albert's giving page. Part of the fun includes food and gear, such as hats and t-shirts. This year the meal and gear will be more than just souvenirs, thanks to sponsorship support from Daquin and Paul Villeneuve from Giant Tiger.

This new legislation has the potential to support many changes that LiveWorkPlay and its constituents have been requesting for many years, including increased flexibility and fairness regarding the manner in which government funds are distributed to agencies, individuals, and families.

The challenge from here is to ensure that the process of these transformations brings the intended result of a better life for people with intellectual disabiltiies.

UNITED WAY SUPPORTS JOURNEYS/ACES

Journeys and ACES are innovative LiveWorkPlay programs that serve youth with intellectual disabilities from age 13 to a maximum of age 21. In addition to the immediate benefits of developing new friendships and essential skills for community living, these companion programs also provide an opportunity for LiveWorkPlay to develop relationships with families.

There are significant barriers to successful transitions from life in high school to life in the community, and that very issue was one of the motivations that gave birth to the entire LiveWorkPlay organization. By starting this process during the high school years and offering insights learned from more than a decade of supporting adults with intellectual disabilities, LiveWorkPlay can offer Journeys families planning assistance that is difficult to find elsewhere.

Journeys participants recently had a blast with a special workshop hosted by Lara Vaarre of Truffle Treasures. The group made waffle bowls and gelato as well as chocolate dipped strawberries! Please don't call up Truffle Treasures looking for your own workshop, the time-demanding activity is a special treat that Lara offers exclusively to LiveWorkPlay!

Visioning Day will be held at the Hampton Inn Ottawa at 9:00am sharp. For those who are intersted, we'll leave from there for a BBQ feast at the pool party, which will once again be hosted by the Harris family. These are both free events - but Visioning Day is a pre-requisite for attending the pool party! First we work, then we party!

The annual Engines of Success Recognition Banquet will also be held at the Hampton Inn Ottawa. This is an important night for recognizing our dedicated volunteers, celebrating the achievements of Journeys and SMILE participants, and thanking partners, funders, and sponsors.

The banquet doesn't work without a big enthusiastic audience, so register today for a delicious meal and great entertainment. Along with lively recognition ceremonies we'll also have image and video presentations, and probably manage to dig up a blooper or two!

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

After reading this blog you may find yourself wondering how it is possible that so much can be happening with a small organization like LiveWorkPlay. It takes a combination of dedicated volunteers, staff, board members, families, and community partners to make it happen. And it also takes money, of which there is simply never enough.

LiveWorkPlay has a very short list of personal donors, but you can help change that! Making a donation has never been easier - it can be done as a single contribution, or better still via a monthly deduction. Just $8.33 per month results in a donation of $100 a year! You can also donate to LiveWorkPlay in the name of another person as a tribute or as a gift. Please visit our donation page to set up your contribution today!

NEW! LiveWorkPlay is now registered as a Cause on Facebook. Click here to show your support for LiveWorkPlay or to make a contribution.

We hope you have enjoyed this 19th edition of LiveWorkPlayNews. If you have received an email about this blog in error and/or you would prefer not to receive future LiveWorkPlayNews messages, simply click here and follow the simple instructions. That same web page can also be used by newcomers who would like to join LiveWorkPlayNews, so feel free to share the address with friends, colleagues, and family who might like to subscribe.

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Can you believe all that is happening at LiveWorkPlay to support a good life for people with intellectual disabilities? It takes dedication, hard work, and donations too! Why not make a contribution to help us do even more?